Toggle device



July 5, 1966 F. w. LAMPE 3,259,001

TOGGLE DEVICE Filed March 18, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l 44 M j ff/f ,/f/fffl/f 75 INVENTOR July 5, 1966 F. w. LAMPE 3,259,001

TOGGLE DEVICE Filed March 18, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 EA- jiu/ I NVEN TOR.

United States Patent O 3,259,001 TOGGLE DEVICE Friedrich W. Lampe,Detroit, Mich., assigner to Lapeer Manufacturing Company, Detroit,Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Mar. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 440,891Claims. (Cl. 81-351) This invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in manually operated, toggle type, clamping or cuttingdevices, and more particularly to the provision of improved pivotaljoints in devices of this type.

Certain types of tools, such as toggle tools of the type illustrate-d inthe drawings, are provided with a plurality of pivotal joints betweenthe handles and the jaws of the tool to enable the user to lgain amechanical advantage between the force applied to the handles and theresulting force applied to the work between the jaws. In using tools of-this type for clamping pieces of work together, great forces aregenerated which are exerted against and must be transmitted by thesepivotal joints. In conventional tools of which applicant is aware theseforces are in the forms of sheer, torsional and tensile or compressiveforces on the pivot pins of the pivotal joints.

Certain prior art tools of this type have been provided with vtour setsof pivot points, that is, a common pivot point between the jaws, acommon ,pivot point between the handles, a common pivot point betweenone of the handles and one of the jaws, and a common pivot point betweenthe other of the handles and the other of the jaws. The two resultingpivotal joints on each of these members have, in such tools, been formedon a single relatively flat flange portion thereon, so that thetorsional and sheer lforces acting through the joints on each member arein substantially the same planes. An example of such a tool isillustrated in my prior patent, No. 2,894,547, granted July 14, 1959. Inthis patent it is seen that each of the handles is formed of a generallyelongated section constituting the handle proper and having a generallyflat ange thereon through which are formed a pair of apertures, eachreceiving a pivot pin t-o dene a pivotal joint. Each of the jaws areformed with a jaw proper and a generally flat ange having a pair ofapertures therethrough adapted to receive pivot pins to deiine the twopivotal joints thereon. The flanges on the two handle extensions arepositioned on opposite sides of the tool in partial facing relationshipto one another, and the flanges on the two jaw portions are similarlypositioned relative to one another.

Each of the flanges acts as an interconnecting member between pivots ona given member. The important point to be noted here is that the twopivots on each member always act in substantially the same plane. It iswith this aspect of the tool assembly that the present invention isprimarily concerned.

A schematic diagram of the pivot pins of Patent 2,894,547 has beenillustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings and labeled Prior Art. The diagramillustrates the inclination of the pivot pins as would result from theresolution of forces impressed thereon by the interconnecting membersdescribed above. As is seen from the gure, certain members haveresulting forces impressed thereon which are perpendicular to the planeof the member and tend to displace the member in a direction axial tothe pivot pins. One such member is the interconnecting member betweenthe common pivot for the jaws and the right side common pivot for thejaw and handle. The force on this interconnecting member tends to forcethe member downwardly, thus separating the assembly. Similar yforces maybe found on the other members and these forces are offset by the headsor 3,259,9@l Patented duly 5, 1966 backs of the rivets forming the pivotpins. In this situa-tion, the frictional forces within the linkage areincreased and the rivets must be made sufficiently strong to overcomethe added force, resulting in an increased V COSt.

One solution for the force problem described above is to provide thetool with pivot points `of the double shear Itype, as is particularlyillustrated in my Patent No. 2,899,995, granted August 18, 1959. In thispatent it is to be seen that each of the pivot points is provided with apair of interconnected elements, one of which has an end which isbifurcated axially of the pivot pin with the othermember interttedbetween the bifurcated ends. In this way the lforces on the pin areimpressed strictly in shear, thereby solving the problem of an unbalanceof axial forces on the pivot pin. However, in `a construction of thistype, it is necessary that Ithe apertures through which the pin ispassed, i.e., the bifurcated end, must be either drilled and milled orsome other expensive and burdensome method must be used to form theapertures. The single portion which is positioned between the bifurcatedend may be punched but the problem still exists where there lare anydrilling operations. Also, the double shear method requires additionalmaterial, creates a heavier and more cumbersome tool, and is moreexpensive to produce.

With the device of the present invention, the forces within theinterconnecting members are so distributed as to substantially eliminatethe axial forces created on the heads of the rivets or ends of thefastener members which .are used to retain the assembly in the assembledposition. In this way, the 4frictional forces produced on the fasteningmeans are substantially reduced and a greater portion of the forceapplied to the handle will be transmitted to the jaw portions and :anvilof the device. In an assembly constructed according to the presentinvention, the resultant forces are offset by an opposing member and bythe shank or pin portion of the rivet in addition to the interaction ofthe other members of the assembly.

Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide animproved toggle type clamping or cutting device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a toggle typeclamping or cutting device having an improved Vforce distributionthroughout the individual members of the device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toggle typeclamping or cutting device h-aving an improved force transmittingcharacteristic.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a toggletype clamping or cutting device having practically no forces on theheads of the fastener members used to assemble the device.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedtoggle type clamping or cutting device wherein the parts aremanufactured by inexpensive methods, as by punching.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a toggletype clamping or cutting device which is lighter in weight and easier inuse.

Further objects, features, and advantages of this invention will bceomeapparent trom a consideration of the following description, the appendedclaims and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is Ia plan view of a toggle type clamping device incorporatingcertain principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the toggle type clamping device of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 taken along lines 3 3thereof;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 taken along lines 4 4thereof;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 taken along lines 5 5thereof;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the toggle device of FIG. 1 illustrating thedevice in the open position;

FIG. 7 is a sche-matic diagram of the position of the pivot pins of theprior art device illustrating the action of the resultant forces on thepivot pins; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the position of the pivot pins of thepresent invention illustrating the action of the resultant forces on thepivot pins.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a typical tobbletype clamping pliers comprising a pair of jaws 12, 14 which areconnected together by a common pivot connection 16. An anvil 18 isformed at the outer end of one of the jaws 12, 14 having an anvilsurface 28 at an inner edge thereof and a splindle socket 22 is formedat an outer end of the other jaw which is adapted to threadably supporta spindle 24. The spindle 24 may be rotatably adjusted within thespindle socket 22 to transversely adjust a spindle head 26 relative tothe anvil surface 20, This adjustment is necessary to accommodatedifferent workpiece sizes and, for a given workpiece size, to vary theforce applied thereto. As is well known, when the gap between the head26 and the anvil surface 28 is decreased to less than any givenworkpiece size, the clamping force is proportionally increased. Theupper end of the spindle 24 is threadedly provided with a fastener orlocknut member 28 which is adapted to bear against the outside surfaceof the jaw 12, thereby locking the spindle 24 in any selected position.

A pair of handles 32, 34 are connected together by a common pivotconnection 36 and each handle 32, 34 is connected individually to a pairof jaws 12, 14, each by one of a pair of pivot connections indicated at38 and 4), respectively. The free ends of the jaws 12, 14 are broughttogether by separation of their pivoted ends at the pivot connections 38and 40, the jaws 12, 14 being fulcrumed on their common pivot connection16. Conversely, the jaws 12, 14 are opened by relative movement of theirpivoted ends toward each other by an Opposite action at the pivotconnections 38 and 40. The separation or bringing together of the pairof pivot connections 38, 40 occurs by movement of the common pivotconnection 36 for the handles 32, 34 toward or away from connection 16and between the pivot connections 38, 46. Thus, when the handles aresqueezed together, their common pivot connection 36 is caused to moveinwardly toward the throat of the pliers, thus separating the pivotedends of the pair of jaws 12 and 14 and actuating their free endstogether so that the spindle 24 moves closer to the anvil surface 20.

In order to clamp two objects or workpieces together, the workpieces arepositioned between the anvil surface 28 and the spindle head 26 and aforce is `applied to the handles 32, 34 tending to force them togetheruntil the surface 20 and spindle head 26 engage opposite sides of theworkpieces. Further movement of the spindle 24 toward the anvil surface20 is resisted by the interposed workpieces so that it then becomesnecessary to squeeze the handles 32 and 34 together with greater forcewhich causes their common pivot connection to move to a position whichis a position to be hereinafter referred to as the dead center positionwith respect to the pair of pivot connections 38 and 40. In the deadcenter position, the center of pivot connection 36 must be moved to aposition which is intersected by a line drawn through the centers ofpivot connections 38 and 40.

In final movement of the common pivot connection 36 into dead centercondition, the pivoted ends of the pair of jaws 12, 14 separate buttheir free ends are held immoble by the pair of workpieces that are tobe clamped. In this situation, the force is such that the body of thejaws 12 and 14 are exed under load and a certain amount of force,depending on the setting of the spindle 24, is stored in the jaws whenthey are thus clamped under load. In this position, since the commonpivot connection 36 is in dead center condition with relation to thepair of pivot connections 38 and 40, no amount of force applied to thepair of jaws 12 and 14, short of breakage of parts, will cause them tobe separated.

The jaws 12 and 14 are provided with a pair of flat rib members 44, 46,respectively, which serve to strengthen the jaws 12, 14, thus precludingtheir breakage and decreasing the amount of flexing for the amount offorce stored therein. The handles, however, may be separated to actuatethe pair of jaws 12, 14 out of the closed, locked position without anyprying means or members. However, 'an unlocking device, such as thatshown in my patent No. 2,894,547 may be incorporated into the unit tofacilitate the opening of the toggle device.

The outward motion of the common pivot 36 is limited by the innercorners of the handles which abut each other at point 36a. The travel ofthe pivot point 36 beyond the dead center position is stopped by a pairof stop members 50, 52 formed on jaws 12, 14 and no amount of forceapplied to the handles will overdrive the pivot point 36. A pair of webmembers 54, 56 are integrally formed with the handle 32, 34 forstructural purposes and also providing mounting members which areadapted to support a handle or opening mechanism such as thatillustrated in my patent No. 2,894,547. The assembly is furtherstrengthened by providing built-up portions 58, 60 which provideadditional structural rigidity to the stress points of the structure orpart of that tool.

Referring now to the details of the common pivot points, as illustratedin FIGS. 3-5, and the orientation diagram of the pivot pins, asillustrated in FIG. 8, it is seen that the interconnecting elementsdescribed above are particularly arranged to offset the axial forcescreated therein by means of the particular offset relation of the pairsof at portions. The particular details of the common pivot points willbe described in a round robin fashion starting with pivot point 40 andproceeding through pivot points 36, 38, to pivot point 16, and back topivot point 40. In this way, the particular relationships between theforces acting on the pivot pins will be particularly seen.

Structurally, the handle 34 is formed with the end member 66 having arst flat portion 68 and a second flat portion '70 offset therefrom. Theportions 68 and 70 are formed with a pair of apertures 72, 74,respectively, which are adapted to receive a pair of pivot pins 76, 18.The pivot pins 76, 78 may be of the rivet type having a head, a shank,and a backing portion. The other handle 32 is similarly formed with anend portion 88 having a third flat portion 82 and a fourth flat portion84, in a manner similar to that described above.

The two portions 82 and 84 have a pair of apertures 86 and 88 formedtherein which are adapted to receive the pivot pin 78 which is commonwith the second portion 70 and a similar pin 90 which passes through theaperture formed in fourth portion 84. The jaw member 12 is similarlyformed with fifth and sixth offset flat end portions 94, 96 having apair of apertures formed therein, 98 and 180, respectively. The aperture98 is aligned with the aperture 88 and receives pin 90 and the apertureis aligned with an aperture 102 in a seventh offset member 104 of theother jaw 14, the two apertures 180, 102 being adapted to receive a pin106. The jaw member 14 is formed with an eighth offset portion 118having an aperture therein 112 which is adapted to receive the pin 76described above.

In FIG. 7, the forces on the prior art common pivot points areillustrated. By iway of analogy, the common pivot poimts have beenindicated by the primed numerals which correspond to the referencenumerals of the common pivots described above. Thus, pivot 106correlSponds to the common pivot 106 between the pair of jaws, pivot 78'the common pivot between the handles and pivots 76 and 90 corresponds tothe common pivotk between each handle and its respective jaw. The dashedllines indicate a connection between common pivots which has been madeat the bottom of the pins and the dotdashed lines the connection betweencommon pivots made at the top of the pins. This interconnection ofcommon pivots is specifically illustrated in my Pate-nt Number2,894,547.

As the actuating force is applied to the handles of the prior artdevice, a force is seen to be applied along a line to the right at thetop of pivot 76' and to the left at the top of pivot 78 by theinterconnecting member between pivots 76 and 78. A force generally tothe left is applied at the bottom of pivot 76 and to the right at thebottom of pivot 106' -by the interconnecting member bertween pivots 76and 106. Similar-ly, a force generally -to the left is applied at thetop of pivot 106 and to the right at the top of pivot 990r by theinterconnecting members beween pivots 106 and 90. Lastly, the bottom ofpivot 90 is urged to the left by a force to the lett and the bottom olfpivot 78 is urged to the right by a force directed to the right, bothlatter forces being supplied by the interconnection between pivots 90'and 78.

With the above described system of forces, each of the interconnectingmembers is subjected to a Iforce Iaxially of the pivot axis which tendsto force the interconnecting members apart. This -force is opposed byfriction on the pivot pins yand the rivet heads, thus increasing thefrictional #forces :within the system. Also, the various rivet partsmust be fabricated of a more sturdy material, thereby increasing thecost of the unit. The [forces on the pivot pins ot a unit embodying theprinciples of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 8, whereparts corresponding to those described above have been given likereference numerals. Also,` the representation ot interconnecting memberconnected to the -bottom -of pivot pins have |been illustrated bydot-ted lines 'while those connected to the top of the pivot pins havebeen indicated in dotdashed lines.

As is seen from FIG. 8, all of the forces on the bottoms of the pivotpins are in the same direction, to the letft, while all the forces onthe tops of the pivot pins are to the right. `In analyzing the forces onthe pins, it is seen that the members 96, 104 acting on pin 106 -urgethe bottom of the pin to the left and the top to the right,respectively. This is due to the spreading of the jaws '12, *14 byspindle `274 and the action of -the linkage through line 3--3 of FIG. 1.Similarly, members 84, 94 act on pin 90 tending to tilt the pin in thesame direction, members 82, 70 act on pin 78 and members 68, 110 act onpin '76, as illustrated, by the general plan view of the pivot pins.

-The reaction forces on the various members of the assembly caused bythe forces on the pins are offset through the interaction of the pairsof flat portions which are in faceabutting relation and interconnectedby a pivot pin. Thus, a force tending to axially urge a flat portionoutwardly is offset by the other of the pair of fiat portionsinteracting with the mating portion oaf its pivot pin. For example, inthe assembly illustrated in IFIG. 3, if a torce were created onmember 70tending yto urge it outwardly or to the left, a reaction `force would beset up in member 68 against member 110, thereby offsetting the outwardlyacting Iforce. These reaction forces are impressed on the members in aclosed chain and the net result is a zero force tending to separate thevarious fiat portions.

With the arrangement described above, the toggle device is soconstructed as to offset the internal Iforces of the member 'within itsown structure. Thus the axial loading of the pivot pins is reduced and`the material used to Ifabricate the heads of the pins may be reducedbecause the 'function of the heads is mainly to retain the pins. Also,with the construction described above, the Iforces on the pins aremainly in shear, thereby reducing the frictional forces between lthemoving parts. In -this way the device becomes easier -to use as agreater proportion of the actuating force is transmitted to the jaws orfthe device. While the device has been described in conjunction with adevice having .four common pivots, it is to be understood that theinvention may be practiced on a device having a greater or lesser numberof pivot points.

While it will be apparent `that the embodiment of the invention hereindisclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects of the invention, itwill be appreciated that the invention is susceptible -to modification,variation yand change without departing yfrom the proper scope or fairmeaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A toggle device comprising:

first and second jaw members pivotally mounted 'for travel toward andaway Ifrom each other,

first and second handle members pivotally mounted for travel toward andaway [from each other -in response to forces applied thereto, and meansconnecting said handle members and said jaw members for transmitting to-said jaw members yforces applied to said handle members andsubstantially reducing outward forces on said Ihandle and jaw memberstending to separate said members including,

interconnecting means formed on each of said jaw land handle Imembershaving a dirst ilat portion [formed in a tirst plane and a second tlatportion formed in a second plane spaced trom and parallel to said firstplane,

means formed in each of said flat portions Ifor receiving a pivot means,

said dirst flat portion on each of said members lying in overlappingrelation to said second flat portion of the member connected theretowith said pivot receiving means in axial aligned relation, and

pivot means received in each of said axial Ialigned pairs of pivotreceiving means .for maintaining said toggle device in assembledrelation.

2. A toggle device comprising:

rst and second jaw members pivotally mounted for travel toward landaw-ay from each other,

first and second handle members pivotally mounted -for travel toward andaway from each other in response to forces applied thereto, and

rneans connecting said handle members and said jaw members fortransmitting to said jaw members forces yapplied to said handle membersand substantially reducing outward forces on said handle and jaw memberstending to separate said mem-bers includ- 111s,

interconnecting means formed on each of said jaw and handle membershaving a first iiat portion formed in a first plane `and a second datportion formed in a second plane spaced from and parallel to said firstplane,

said first flat portion of said first handle member lying in overlappingrelation to said second at portion of said first jaw, said first fiatportion of said first jaw lying in overlapping relation to said secondfiat portion of said second Jaw,

said first flat portion of said second jaw lying in overlapping relationto the second flat portion of said second -handle member,

said first flat portion of said second handle member lying inoverlapping relation to said second flat portion of said first handlemember,

pivot means interconnecting each of said overlapping pairs of flatportions for main-taining said toggle device in -assembled relation.

3. A toggle device comprising:

first and second jaw members pivotally mounted for travel toward 4andaway from each other,

first and second handle members pivotally mounted for travel toward andaway trom each other in response to forces applied thereto, and

means connecting said handle members and said jaw members fortransmitting to said jaw members forces applied to said handle membersand substantially reducing outward forces on said handle and jaw memberstending to separate said members includma,

interconnecting means formed on each of said jaw and handle membershaving a first fiat portion formed in a first plane and a second liatportion formed in a second plane spaced from and parallel to said firstplane,

means 'formed on each of said fiat portions for lreceiving a pivotmeans,

said first fiat portion of said first handle member lying in overlappingrelation to said second fiat portion of said first jaw with said pivotreceiving means in axial aligned relation,

said first tfiat portion of said first jaw lying in overlapping relationto said second fiat portion of said second jaw with said pivot receivingmeans in axial laligned relation,

said first fiat portion of said second jaw lying in overlappingtrelation :to said second tiat portion off said second handle memberwith said pivot receiving means in axial aligned relation,

said first flat portion of said second handle member lying inoverlapping relation to said second flat portion of said first handlemember with said pivot receiving means-in axial Aaligned relation, and

pivot means received in each said axial aligned pairs of pivot receivingmeans for maintaining said toggle device in assembled relation.

4. A toggle device comprising:

first and second jaw members pivotally mounted for travel toward `andaway from each other,

first and seco-nd handle members pivotally mounted 'for travel towardand away from each other in response to forces applied thereto, and

means connecting saidhandle members and said jaw members fortransmitting to said jaw members forces applied to said handle membersand substantially reducing outward forces on said handle and jaw memberstending to separate said members includinterconnecting means formed a-tone end of each of said jaw and ihandle members lhaving a first fiatportion formed in a first plane and a second fiat portion formed in :asecond plane spaced from and parallel to said first plane,

pin receiving apertures lformed on each of said fiat portions forreceiving means,

said first `fiat portion of said first handle member ly-ing inoverlapping relation to said second fiat portion of said first jaw withsaid pin receiving apertures in axial aligned relation,

said first fiat portion of said first jaw lying in overlapping relationto said second fiat portion of said second jaw with said pin receivingapertures in axial yaligned relation,

said first flat portion of said second jaw lying -in overlappingrelation to said second fia-t portion of said second handle member withsaid pin receiving apertures in axial aligned relation,

said first fiat portion of said second -handle member lying inoverlapping relation to said second -fiat portion of said first handlemember with said pin receiving apertures in axial aligned relation, and

pin means received in each said axial aligned pairs of pin apertures formaintaining said toggle device in .assembled relation.

S. A toggle device comprising:

first and second jaw members pivotally mounted for travel toward andaway from each other,

first and second handle members pivotally mounted lfor travel toward andaway Ifrom each other in response to forces applied thereto, and

a linkage assembly connecting said handle members and said jaw memberstor transmitting to said jaw members forces applied to said handlemembers and substantially reducing outward forces on said handle and jawmembers including,

an interconnecting member lformed at one end of each of said jaw andhandle members having a first fiat portion formed in a first plane, asecond fiat portion formed in a second plane spaced from and parallel tosaid first plane and a portion connecting said first and second 4fiatportions,

pin receiving apertures lformed in each of said `fiat portions forreceiving a pivot pin,

said first flat portion of said first handle member lying in overlappingrelation to said second flat portion of said first jaw with said pinreceiving apertures in axial aligned relation,

said first fiat portion of said first jaw lying in overlapping relationto said second -fiat portion of said sec- -ond jaw with said pinreceiving apertures in axial aligned relation,

said first fiat portion of said second jaw lying in overlapping relationto said second flat portion of said second handle member with said pinreceiving apertures in axial aligned relation,

said first fiat portion of said second handle member lying inoverlapping relation to said second -fiat portion of said first handlemember with said pin receiving yapertures in axial aligned relation,Iand a pivot pin received in each said axial `aligned pairs of pinapertures for maintaining said toggle device in assembled relation,

said second fiat portion of said first handle member and said first fiatportion of said second handle member forming with said pivot pin anovercenter locking connection for locking said jaw members in a closedposition.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,899,995 8/1959Lampe 81-351 2,937,677 5/1960 McIlwain 81-351 3,051,028 8/1962 Kreger8l--351 WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

G. WEIDENFELD, Assistant Examiner.

1. A TOGGLE DEVICE COMPRISING: FIRST AND SECOND JAW MEMBERS PIVOTALYMOUNTED FOR TRAVEL TOWARD AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER, FIRST AND SECONDHANDLE MEMBERS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED FOR TRAVEL TOWARD AND AWAY FROM EACHOTHER IN RESPONSE TO FORCES APPLIED THERETO, AND MEANS CONNECTING SAIDHANDLE MEMBERS AND SAID JAW MEMBERS FOR TRANSMITTING TO SAID JAW MEMBERSFORCES APPLIED TO SAID HANDLE MEMBERS AND SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCING OUTWARDFORCES ON SAID HANDLE AND JAW MEMBERS TENDING TO SEPARATE SAID MEMBERSINCLUDING, INTERCONNECTING MEANS FORMED ON EACH OF SAID JAW AND HANDLEMEMBERS HAVING A FIRST FLAT PORTION FORMED IN A FIRST PLANE AND A SECONDFLAT PORTION FORMED IN A SECOND PLATE SPACED FROM AND PARALLEL TO SAIDFIRST PLANE, MEANS FORMED IN EACH OF SAID FLAT PORTIONS RECEIVING APIVOT MEANS, SAID FIRST FLAT PORTION ON EACH OF SAID MEMBERS LYING INOVERLAPPING RELATION TO SAID SECOND FLAT PORTION OF THE MEMBERSCONNECTED THERETO WITH SAID PIVOT RECEIVING MEANS IN AXIAL ALIGNEDRELATION, AND PIVOT MEANS RECEIVED IN EACH OF SAID AXIAL ALIGNED PAIRSOF PIVOT RECEIVING MEANS FOR MAINTAINING SAID TOGGLE DEVICE IN ASSEMBLEDRELATION.